Earth Science

Astronomy is the study of our universe. This includes our solar system with the Sun, its planets, moons, asteroids, and comets as well as other stars, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies and the universe as a whole.

Whether you are interested in forecasting, severe weather or more traditional atmospheric sciences, COD will allow students a chance to delve into how the atmosphere works from the start of their academic career.

General Education Requirements

The College of DuPage Earth Sciences Program provides opportunities for students to
explore fundamentals at the introductory as well as pre-professional levels. Each
of the Earth Science courses serves the general education needs for non-science and
science majors alike.

Physical Sciences Requirement for an AA, AS, or the Transfer Oriented Electives for
the AA, AS degrees

Choose one of the following courses. Please note that the courses listed stand alone
and do not need to be taken in sequence. Students must take two sciences to meet the
science general education requirements – one in the Life Sciences (see Biology) and
one Physical Science (includes Earth Science courses). One of the courses taken to
meet the science requirement must be a course with a laboratory component. Asterisked
(*) courses listed below are non-lab courses. Each of the following courses is articulated
with the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). Students should speak with an Earth Science faculty member to select the course most
appropriate for their majors.

Physical Science Requirement for an AAS: Students are required to take one lab science course. You may choose from any of
the lab science. Lab classes are in bold below.

Please note that course numbers are organized by Earth Science discipline and do not
indicate a level of difficulty.

Astronomy

Introduction to Astronomy – EARTH 1120*

Astronomy: The Solar System - EARTH 1122

Astronomy: Stars & Galaxies - EARTH 1124

Observational Astronomy – EARTH 1126

Geology

Physical Geology of Earth’s Interior - EARTH 1101

Physical Geology of Earth’s Surface - EARTH 1102

Environmental Geology –EARTH 1105

Hydrosciences

Oceanography - EARTH 1130

Water Science, Fundamentals of Hydrology - EARTH 1135

Meteorology

Introduction to Meteorology – EARTH 1110

Climate & Global Change – EARTH 1111*

Severe & Unusual Weather – EARTH 1115

General Earth Science

Fundamentals of Earth Science – EARTH 1140

Introduction of Earth Science – EARTH 1141*

*Note that students may select either 1140 OR 1141, not both

A.S. DEGREE ONLY Additional Math & Science Credits

Students may choose any of the above courses or select from field and intermediate
level Earth Science course offerings. Students should see the current COD catalog
for a comprehensive list of Earth Science courses AND consult with the Earth Science
faculty member in the Earth Science discipline of interest to make elective choices
that best fit individual transfer and degree program needs.

Spotlight

"As the oldest of six children from a working class family, I didn’t have a lot of resources to attend college. The start I got at COD allowed me to matriculate at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

“Just taking college classes is not enough to get you a valuable degree. You have to actually learn the material to be able to use it in real situations. Find something you enjoy, or at least something you don’t hate, and work hard to become the best at it. If you’re working toward anything less, chances are you’re in the wrong field.”

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the Center for Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.